Toy top with detachable parts



March 27, 1956 F. A. ROBERTON ET AL 2,739,415 TOY TOP WITH DETACHABLEPARTS I Filed Oct. 25, 1952 x IN VEN TOR5 fiederw czmberzm BY 77286Gmwc/y,

TQY TOP WITH DETACHABLE PARTS Frederic A. Rebel-ton, Oak Park, and JamesJ. Gonsch, Chicago, Ill.

Application October 23, 1952, Serial No. 316,468

13 Claims. (Cl. 4667) This invention relates to a novel rotating toy andmore particularly to a novel toy top having centrifugally detachableportions.

Various types of toy tops having centrifugallyresponsive operatingcharacteristics have been proposed heretofore. For example, it has beensuggested to provide a flying top wherein pivoted wing members swingoutwardly during high speed rotation of the top to cause the device torise in the air.

However, our invention is directed to a novel arrangement involving aplurality of detachable parts which can be assembled into a unitary topand retained in assembled relation during rotation of the top at highspeeds. As the top slows down, certain of the parts automatically becomedetached and are thrown or scattered by centrifugal force to provide aunique and entertaining innovation in this class of toys.

Accordingly, a primary object of our invention is to provide a multiplepart toy top having novel centrifugally responsive operatingcharacteristics.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel multiple-part toytop capable of providing amusement and entertainment not only duringspinning of the top but by assembly and disassembly thereof. A furtherobject of the invention is to provide a novel toy top comprising aplurality of detachably connected parts adapted to be retained togetherinassembled relation during high speed rotation of the top but capableof being automatically detached and centrifugally scattered at apredetermined low speed of rotation,

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe subsequent detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one specific embodiment of our inventionin assembled relation, the detached relation of the parts beingpartially illustrated in broken lines;

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view through the device shown inFig. l

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary top plan view with a part thereof in section astaken along the line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of a different embodiment of the invention;and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing the manner ofoperating the device illustrated in Fig. 4.

Broadly speaking, the novel toy top of our invention comprises arotatable base and a plurality of detachable members or segments adaptedto be fitted on the base in assembled relation. The detachable membersare preferably sector-shaped so as to provide a unitary disk portionrotatable with the base when assembled thereon. The invention alsocontemplates the provision of releasable retaining means adapted to holdthe detachable members I in assembled relation during high speedrotation of the top but releasable at a predetermined low speed ofrotation in order to permit the detachable members to be thrown orscattered centrifugally from the rotating base. As will hereinafterappear, the releasable retaining means nitcd States Patent? 2,739,415Patented Mar. 27, 1956 top and a flat upper surface 13. An uprightspindle 14 having an upper cylindrical portion 16 and a lower portion1'7 of polygonal cross-section, triangular in this instance, extendsupwardly from the base 11 above the surface 13. The spindle 14 ispreferably of metal and the triangular portion 17 is provided at itslower end with suitable corner teeth or serrations 18 in order toprovide a rigid press fitted connection with the plastic base 11. Adetachable handle member 19 having an axial bore 20 is also provided forrotatablyreceiving the upper end 16 of the spindle during initialspinning of the top.

A plurality of detachable members or segments 21, three being shown inthis instance, are disposed on the upper fiat surface 13 of the base 11.Preferably, the detachable members 21 are generally sector-shaped sothat they may be fitted together in edgewise abutment around the spindle14 in orderto provide a diskportion extending radially outwardly fromthe base 11 and rotatable therewith. The inner, end of each of thesegments 21 carries an upright hub portion 22, each of the hub portionsbeing so formed as to provide a unitary circular hub surrounding thespindle 14 when the segments 21 are assembled on thebas'e 11. The outerperiphery of each hub portion 22 has an inwardly curved contour so as toprovide an annular groove or recess 23 for receiving a winding string24. Theouter corners of each hub portion are preferably cut away orbeveled so as to provide a notch 26 between the adjacentcorners foranchoringone end of the spinning string." it will beseen that in thisembodiment of the invention the inner side of each hub portion 22 has aliar surface 27 adapted to be disposed in parallel relation closelyadjacent one of the flat sides of the triangular spindle portion 17.

As Will be apparent from the drawing, the outer blade portions of thesegments 21 extend radially'outwardly to a considerable extent beyondthe rotating base 11 and because of the sector shape of the segments thearea and weight of the overhanging portions are substantially greaterthan the area and weight of the inner portions in contact with the base11'. Consequently, the segments 21 are normally unstable and tend totilt or rock down wardly andoutwardly from the base 11 in the mannerillustrated in broken lines in Fig. 2. However, when the parts of thetop are assembled initiallyprior to spinning, it will be seen that thewinding of the string 24' around the coacting hub portions 22 servestobind or secure the tiltable segments 21 in rion-tilted assembledrelation on the base 11. Referring to Fig. 5 for amoment, it will beunderstood that the top is spun by grasping the detachable handleportion having the spindle journaled therein and pulling on the free endof the wound string in order to effect rotation of the device.

When spinning movement has thus been effected and the string iscompletely released and the handle portion removed, centrifugal forceacting on the detachable segments 21 tends to throw the segments fromthe rotating base. However, we'provide'a releasable retaining meansopenings -28. Thus,-as--the 'top rotates "at high-speedythe pins 29prevent the segments 21 from being thrown centrifugally from therotating base llandconsequently the base 1'1 and the assembled segments'21 rotate in ta unitary manner. At the sametime, the. centrifugal forceacting 'on thesegments 21 tendsto hold'the'latter in substantiallyhorizontal non-tilted 'relation so that the pins '29 are effectivelypositioned in the openings 28.

' Asthe-speeclof rotation o'fthetopdecreases, a point isfinallyreaehedat some predetermined low speed of rotation atwhich'thecentrifugal force acting on the segments 21'is-insu'fiicientto overcomethe overhanging weight of the segments with the result that atapproximately the sametimegeach 'of' the segmentstilts downwardly andoutwardly in the manner shown in brokenlinesin Fig. '2. As thesegments21.rock or'tilt about the peripheral edge o'fthe rotating base .11', itwill be seen that the pins 29 are automatically disengaged from theopenings 28 at whichpointthesegments being detached are then throwncentrifugally'from the rotating basell providing a unique andentertaining effect.

"T he openings'28 being 'slightlylarger than the diameter of'the pins29, it will be understood that the segments 21 are shiftable to a slightdegree on the base 11 even when the p'ins.29 are,in engagement in theopenings 28. When the stringf24 is wound around the hub portions 22, thesegments 21 are drawn radially inwardly so that the pins 29 abutagainstthe outer edgesyof theopenings v28 leaving a slight clearance orspace radially. inwardly of each pin '29, as indicated vat "30 in "Fig.2. However, upon spinningthetop and releasing the string, .the effect ofcentrifugal force causes the segments to shift outwardly .until thepins29 contact the inner peripheral edges of the openings 28 at which,pointthey are. retained until the centrifugal effectis'insuflicienttocounteract the tipping momentv of the overhanging segments.

'Inasmuch as thesegmentszl rock about the outer edge of the base 11asaffulcrum, it will bev seenthat the vertical height of the pins29tend-sto prevent tilting release ofthe segments by rocking thereofwhile in their centrifugally urgedpositionsin contact with the retainingpins 29. Consequently, in order to be released, the segments 21 mustshiftradially inwardly relative to the base 11 until the .arcuateswinging movement of the inner ends of the segments allows the openings28 to swing clear of the upri-ghtpins 29. S1 bus, the overhanging weightof the blade portions of the segments 21 must be great enough topromanner as a simple jig-saw puzzle thereby imparting anadditionalamusement feature'to the toy.

In this embodiment of the invention the rotating base, indicated at 34,has a smoothly tapered configuration and is of much smaller radialextent in order to provide a greater degree of overhang of thedetachable segments 31 relative to the base 34. .Another modification ascompared with the first-described form of the invention resides in theshape of vtheinner surfaces of the hub portions. Thus, each hub portion,indicated at 36, has a generally V-shaped notch or groove'37 adaptedtofit around one of the corner edges of the triangular spindle portion17. In addition, the ,removablexhandle portion, designated at 38, inthis form of the invention difiers somewhat in shape from the handle 19o'fthepreviousform but functions in the same manner.

It will be understood that in this modification of the invention thesegments 31 are likewise tiltable relative to thebase'34and when suchtilting movement takes place at a predetermined low'speed of rotation,the interlocking'fit of the projections 33 in the slots 32 is disruptedto permit the segments 31 'to be detached from each other and thrown"from the rotating base 34. For proper mutual disengagement of the'segments31 it is desirable that each segment tilt or rock about an axissubstantially perpendicular to its radial center line. However, theprojection 33 extending from one side of each'segment and the slot 32'atthe opposite side thereof result in a non-uniform or non-symmetricalweight distribution in each segment. The

duce the necessary inwardcamming of the segments which 5 isin opposition.to theaefiecttof-centrifugal: force. Because of the necessity forthisslight. inward shifting of the segments beforerelease thereof, itwill beseen that'the segments tend tobe retained-onthe rotating basefora greater-lengthof time'anduntila slower-speed of rotation. isreachedxthan would: otherwise be thecase with a different retainingmeans. It will also be understood that the en largementof thejholes 28relative to thepins 29 affords the needed clearance for accommodatingtheinward shift ing of the segments-prior to 'complete tilting andrelease thereof. 'Of course, enlargement'of'thefholes 28 alsofacilitates and simplifies the'initial assembly of the toy.

Inthe-embodiment 'shownrin'Figs. 4and 5, substantially-the'sameprinciple isinvolved'but in this case the retaining means for thedetachable segments, indicated at 31, comprises coacting, portionsbetween the adjacentsegments rather thanbetween thebase and each ofjthesegments. Thus, ionenofjthe side. edges ofeach. of. thesectorshapedsegments '31 .is provided with -.an irregular .L- shaped opening or;slot .32 and .the abuttingedge of the adjacent segment is provided.withacomplementary -L- shapedprojectionv 33 adaptedtm be received,is:the opening 32. and to, providean interlockingrdetachable connectiontherewith. bus, -the,plumliiydof.-segments :31 areassembledjnthis.case;on..the;hase-:of;.the top-inqmuchtthe same eifectof such uneven weightldistribution during'tilting is overcome'by meansof the'V-shape'd notches 37 in the hubportions3'6, these notches fittingrather closely around the spindle corners so that the spindle cornersactually guide the segments during their tilting movement and insuretilting ofeach segmentabout an axis substantially perpendicular. to itsradial center line.

As an addedfeature of the device, each of the detachable segments may bedecorated in 'difierent colors or patterns to provide any desiredopticaleffect during rotation of the device. 'The rotating base is preferablymolded from a relatively hard rigid plastic having suitable structuralstrength. The detachable segments, or at least the radially extending.bla'de portions thereof, are preferably formed from asofterandrialativelyfflexible materia1,.e. g. polyethylene plastic, inorder to avoid injury or damage whentheQ segments .are thrown from therotating base. It will be evident that the distance of scatter of thedetachable segments and the time at which thesegments are released canbecontrolledtoa certaindegree by varying the structural relationship ,ofthe various parts of the device. For example, in the first-describedform of .the invention, variationinthese operating characteristics maybe obtained .by lchangingtthe radialposition and height of theretainingpins.29..and'by varying the weight andextent of .overhang of.the-bladeportions ofthe detachable segments'Zl.

Althoughthe invention hasbeen described withparticular reference tocertain specific structural embodiments',,it will bevunderstoodlhat.various modifications and alternative constructions may be obtainedwithout departingfromthe scope of the invention as defined in theappended claims.

Weelaim: I

.1. .A toy top comprising a rotatable base, a plurality ofdetachablesegments adapted to be assembled on said base, said segments.having portions extending radially beyond ,said base-and-said segmentsbeing tiltable outwardly relative =to-said base, means ;c.oacting withsaid segmentszfor initiallylholdingthe segments in non-tiltedassembledrelation-on,said :base priorto spinning of the t p, andretaining means;responsivetogcentrifugal force actingupontsaid segments:for holding said segments in nonrtilted assembled relation "onsaid:base ,during high speed :rotation cof the top, asaid :retaining meansbeing releasableZinrresponsertosoutwarddilting of said segments at apredetermined low speed of rotation of the top whereby to permit saidsegments to be thrown centrifugally from the rotating base. Y

2. A toy top comprising a rotatable base, anupright spindle on saidbase, a plurality of detachable segments adapted to be assembled on saidbase around said spindle, said segments having coacting hub portionsadapted to fit around said spindle and to have a spinning string woundtherearound, said segments also having portions extending radiallybeyond said base and being tiltable outwardly relative to said base, andreleasable retaining means responsive to centrifugal force acting uponsaid segments for holding said segments in assembled relation on saidbase during high speed rotation of the top, said retaining means beingreleasable in response to outward tilting of said segments whereby topermit said segments to be thrown centrifugally from the base at apredetermined low speed of rotation.

3. The device of claim further characterized in that it also comprises aremovable handle member having an opening to receive the end of saidspindle for journalling the same during spinning of the top.

4. A toy top comprising a rotatable base, an upright spindle on saidbase adapted to be journalled in a handle member during spinning of thetop, a plurality of detachable segments adapted to be assembled on saidbase around said spindle, said segments extending radially from saidbase in overhanging relation therewith such that said segments normallytend to rock outwardly relative to said base, upright hub portionscarried at the inner ends of said segments and adapted to fit aroundsaid spindle and to have a spinning string wound therearound, the woundspinning string thereby initially holding said segments in assembledposition on said base, and releasable retaining means coacting with saidsegments for holding the latter in assembled relation on said baseduring high speed rotation of the top, said retaining means beingreleasable in response to outward rocking of said segments at apredetermined low speed of rotation of the top whereby to permit saidsegments to be thrown centrifugally from the rotating base.

5. A toy top comprising a rotatable base having a lower gyration pointand a fiat upper portion, a spindle extending upwardly from said baseand adapted to be journalled in a handle during spinning of the top, aplurality of detachable sector-shaped members adapted to be assembledilatwise on the flat upper portion of said base and extending radiallytherefrom to provide a disk portion rotatable with said base, saidmembers being tiltable outwardly relative to said base, a plurality ofupright hub portions carried at the inner radial ends of said membersand adapted to fit around said spindle and to receive a winding stringfor spinning the top, and releasable retaining means for holding saidmembers in flatwise assembled relation on said base during high speedrotation of the top, said retaining means being releasable in responseto outward tilting of said members whereby to permit said members to bereleased and thrown centrifugally from the base at a predetermined lowspeed of rotation.

6. A toy top comprising a rotatable base, a plurality of detachablesegments adapted to be disposed in assembled relation on said base, saidsegments having portions extending radially beyond said base and beingtiltable outwardly relative to said base, each of said segments havingan opening therein, and retaining means responsive to centrifugal forceacting upon said segments and coacting with the openings in saidsegments for retaining the latter in non-tilted assembled relation onsaid base during high speed rotation of the top, said retaining meansbeing releasable in response to outward tilting of said segments wherebyto permit said segments to be released and thrown centrifugally fromsaid base at a predetermined low speed of rotation.

7. A toy top comprising a rotatable base, a plurality of detachablesegments provided with openings at the undersides thereof and adapted tobe assembled on said base, said segments having portions extendingradially beyond said base and being tiltable outwardly relative to saidbase, and a plurality of pins projecting from said base and receivablewithin said openings and cooperable with the latterin response tocentrifugal force acting on the segments for retaining said segments innon-tilted assembled relation on said base during high speed rotation ofthe top, said segments being tiltable outwardly relative to said base ata predetermined low speed of rotation whereby to disengage said pinsfrom said openings and to permit said segments to be throwncentrifugally from the rotating base.

8. A toy top comprising a rotatable base, a plurality of detachablesector-shaped members adapted to be assembled on said base and extendingradially outwardly therefrom to a sufficient extent so that said membersnormally tend to tilt outwardly from said base, upright hub portionscarried at the inner ends of said members and adapted to have a spinningstring wound therearound whereby the string initially holds said membersin non-tilted assembled relation, said members each having an opening atits underside over said base, and a plurality of retaining pins on saidbase and adapted to extend into the openings in said members whereby thelatter are retained in non-tilted assembled relation on the base duringhigh speed rotation of the top, said members being adapted to tiltoutwardly from the base at a predetermined low speed of rotation wherebyto disengage said pins from said openings and to permit said members tobe thrown centrifugally from the rotating base.

9. The device of claim 8 further characterized in that said openings areslightly larger than said pins whereby to permit the tilting forcesacting on said members to cause slight inward shifting of the members onsaid base for permitting said openings to swing clear of said pins.

10. A toy top comprising a rotatable base, a plurality of detachablesegments adapted to be assembled on said base, said segments havingportions extending radially beyond said base and being tiltableoutwardly relative to said base, and releasable retaining means coactingbetween adjacent segments for holding the latter in non-tilted assembledrelation on said base during high speed rotation of the top, saidretaining means being releasable in response to outward tilting of saidsegments at a predetermined low speed of rotation for disengaging saidretaining means whereby to permit said segments to be throwncentrifugally from the rotating base.

11. A toy top comprising a rotatable base, a plurality of detachablesegments adapted to be fitted together in assembled relation on saidbase, said segments having portions extending radially beyond said baseand being tiltable outwardly relative to said base, and retaining meanscomprising a plurality of interlocking openings and projections providedin the abutting edges of said segments whereby to retain said segmentsin non-tilted assembled relation on said base during high speed rotationof the top, said retaining means being releasable in response to outwardtilting of said segments at a predetermined low speed of rotationwhereby to disengage said openings and projections and to permit saidsegments to be thrown centrifugally from the rotating base.

12. A toy top comprising a rotatable base, a plurality of detachablesector-shaped members adapted to be assembled on said base andextendingradially outwardly therefrom to a sufiicient extent so that said membersnormally tend to tilt outwardly from said base, upright hub portionscarried at the inner ends of said members and adapted to have a spinningstring wound therearound whereby the string initially holds said membersin non-tilted assembled relation, and retaining means comprising aplurality of complementary interlocking edgewise openings andprojections provided in the abutting sides of said members whereby saidmembers are retained in unitary non-tilted assembled relation on saidbase during high speed rotation said hub portions on said members areprovided withv grooved portions coacting with the corneredges-of saidspindle for insuring tilting movement of each of said members about anaxis substantially perpendicular to its radial center line.

Ref erenees Cited infthe file of this patent :UNHEED SIATE P TE T SecorV July 6,

Angell May 10,

"Donovan Aug. 14,

FOREIGN vPATENTS fireatrBritain ,----1--.- an. 2

